National Basketball Association

NBA Trade Rumors: Kings Growing Closer To Trading DeMarcus Cousins

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

NBA Trade Rumors: The Sacramento Kings are growing closer and closer to trading DeMarcus Cousins, and it could happen really soon

The Sacramento Kings haven’t made the playoffs in 10 years. Since DeMarcus Cousins joined the team in 2010, the Kings haven’t even won more than 33 games.

This season, the Kings don’t appear to be any better. They’re off to a 4-7 start, and haven’t shown any signs of significantly improving. Which begs the question, what next?

Do the Kings throw in the towel on the Boogie Cousins era and hope to get some nice pieces in return? Or, do they continue down this lifeless and hollow path?

Well, according to a report from Sean Deveney of Sporting News, it sounds like the Kings are closer to trading DeMarcus Cousins than they’ve ever been.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

[via Sporting News]

…there’s reason to think that by the time February’s trade deadline comes around, Cousins will no longer be with the Kings — and a move could come in the first half of December. That’s the speculation among front office executives around the league, at least.

…

“I’d say they have three months, tops,” one Western Conference general manager told Sporting News, requesting anonymity because he is not allowed to speak about other teams’ players. “Probably more like a month, or month-and-a-half, because the closer they get to the (February trade) deadline, the less they’re going to get back. If you’re trying to trade him the week of the deadline, it’s going to be tougher.”

The big question, of course, is what exactly the Kings would be asking for in exchange for arguably the best center in the NBA. Will they be looking for lottery picks, young assets or an established star?

That could ultimately be the biggest factor in whether Cousins gets moved sooner rather than later. Because it’s happening at some point over the next year and a half. It’s a matter of when, not if at this point.

A few teams to keep in mind, as the DeMarcus Cousins’ rumors begin to heat up, are the Los Angeles Lakers (have plenty of assets), the Boston Celtics (have the Nets’ pick) and the Phoenix Suns (a bunch of young assets). Of course, there will be other teams in the mix, but those are a few that have the most assets.

This article originally appeared on